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The Welsh Government has pledged money towards a structural survey for a 17th century venue deemed at risk of collapse.

The Grade II* listed Ruperra Castle, which is a scheduled monument near the small village of Draethen, was built in 1626 – but faces an uncertain future.

Ruperra Castle Preservation Trust, which has been campaigning to save the castle, hailed the announcement as the “vital first step in securing the castle’s future”.

A castle with a storied history, Ruperra was built by Sir Thomas Morgan. It would go on to be used as a base to train soldiers during World War II, but was severely damaged in a fire in 1941 and remains a ruin to this day.

Cadw, the Welsh Government body responsible for Wales’ historic monuments, will part-fund the structural survey for the castle, according to the deputy minister for arts, sport, and tourism, Dawn Bowden.

Money will also go towards a detailed historic building record for the castle.

The castle is privately owned by Hyder and Victoria Al-Khafaji, who, according to the preservation trust, will also be contributing towards the survey.

The historic building survey and structural surveys are starting this month and are expected to be complete before the end of March.

The spokesperson for the trust said it hopes the survey can lead to a public right of way being reopened, and added: “We are looking forward to meeting the owner of Ruperra Castle to discuss any opportunities for collaborative working.

“We’d like to thank the deputy minister, Cadw, and the owner of Ruperra Castle for making this happen, and are grateful to all our supporters and Members of Senedd that have shown their support and encouragement to raise awareness of this nationally important monument.”

Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member, Hefin David, said: “This is good progress. I am pleased that Cadw and the deputy minister see the importance of supporting the owner and the trust in working to protect Ruperra Castle, as a piece of our local history.

“I will continue to work with all parties and I think that a collaborative approach going forward will be a very positive step in keeping these valuable conversations going.”

Plaid Cymru’s regional Senedd Members for South Wales East have also welcomed the news.

Delyth Jewell MS praised the hard work of campaigners and said the announcement was a “welcome breakthrough in the journey to safeguard Ruperra Castle”.

She added: “We need to prevent losing sites and buildings of such significance because buildings are more than bricks; they bring our history to life. We should cherish our ancient monuments because they carry our local stories in their stones.”

Fellow Plaid Cymru MS Peredur Owen Griffiths said: “By working together, we can turn around Ruperra Castle and write a new chapter in the building’s majestic history that ends happily for everyone.”

Meanwhile, South Wales East’s Conservative MS, Natasha Asghar, praised the “tireless campaigning” of the trust, and called the Welsh Government’s action “absolutely fantastic news”.